What are the Minimum Insurance Requirements in Kentucky for Automobiles and Motorcycles?
Each state requires drivers to maintain certain types of auto and motorcycle insurance to protect themselves and others in the event of a motor vehicle accident. Kentucky is a no-fault insurance state; therefore, drivers are required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance in addition to liability insurance.
The minimum insurance coverage for all motor vehicles, including motorcycles, is:
- Liability insurance for bodily injury per person — $25,000 per person
- Liability insurance for bodily injury per accident — $50,000
- Insurance to pay for property damage to another person’s vehicle — $10,000
In addition to the liability insurance, the law requires automobile drivers to carry a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage. PIP coverage is optional for motorcycles. Automobile drivers can decline and reject PIP insurance by submitting the correct form to the Kentucky Department of Insurance. However, declining no-fault insurance does have consequences.
The insurance requirements can become a crucial element in a car accident because of Kentucky’s no-fault laws. Your ability to sue a driver could be restricted. Our Kentucky car accident attorneys investigate all aspects of your accident to ensure you receive the most compensation available by law. An insurance adjuster will not do this for you.
How Are My Medical Bills Paid After a Car Accident?
Since Kentucky is a no-fault state, your first resource for payment of medical bills is your PIP insurance. If you are a passenger in a vehicle that is not covered, you can file a claim under your coverage or the coverage of a household member. If your medical bills, lost wages, and other financial damages exceed the PIP coverage, you can pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. Kentucky does impose restrictions on your ability to sue for damages; however, an exception is when the medical bills exceed $1,000.
How Much Insurance Do I Need?
As discussed above, Kentucky’s minimum insurance requirements include liability insurance and PIP insurance. In addition to minimum insurance requirements, drivers have the option of purchasing addition coverage and higher amounts of coverage. As experienced Kentucky car accident attorneys, we encourage all drivers to discuss the available options with their insurance agent to ensure they are adequately protected.
For example, you may want to consider purchasing underinsured motorist coverage. This type of insurance protects you if you are injured in an accident and your damages exceed the other driver’s insurance coverage. In an accident involving traumatic injuries, you can quickly exceed the minimum coverage of $25,000.
Even a relatively simple surgery can result in more than $25,000 in medical bills, not to mention your other damages. The other driver’s insurance company is only required to pay damages up to the policy limits. However, if you have underinsured insurance, your insurance coverage pays for damages that exceed the other driver’s coverage, up to the amount of your policy.
There are several types of insurance coverage, such as underinsured coverage, you may want to purchase to protect yourself and your family. Other types of coverage you may want to discuss with your insurance agency include uninsured, collision, comprehensive, and roadside assistance.